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Glite Dictionary
🎶 Making music 🫖 High sound 📣 Calling attention
whistling

whistling

12 1.2
A sound used to signal or get attention, for example in a game
  • noun
  • /ˈwɪs.lɪŋ/
translation icon : silbido
  • The referee signaled the end of the game by whistling loudly to get everyone's attention.

Examples

  • "We are particularly interested in controlling the whistling sound that comes from automobiles," Ahuja said.

    Academic text (1995)

  • While the dog makes his rounds, Berneta adds whistling and a clattering chorus of cans.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • The masked and costumed performer approaches the entranceway whistling and peeping to announce each successive dancer.

    Academic text (1991)

  • The teacher called the students back to class by whistling a distinct tune.

  • During the parade, many spectators began whistling to cheer for the performers.

Synonyms

whistle
vswhistling
56 1.0

A high loud sound made by a person, a device, or fast moving air

is an intentional action that uses the sound to signal attention

Compounds

dog-whistling
  • Literature
9.9

A way of saying things that hides a message for a certain group

whistling swan
  • Specialized
8.1

A large white water bird that makes a soft high whistle

whistling buoy
  • Specialized
9.1

A floating marker that makes a whistling sound to warn ships of danger

whistling marmot
  • US
8.5

A large ground squirrel that lives in mountains and makes a loud high whistle

How Urgent

shouting
129 1.0
whistling
12 1.2
tapping
22 1.9

Surface Forms

whistling singular
whistlings plural

Morphology

whistling = whistle (transparent) = whistle + ing

The noun is a straightforward nominalization of the verb 'whistle' with the suffix '-ing'.

Etymology

The word whistling comes from the old sound word whist and the familiar tool whistle, which copies the loud 'wh' noise. So whistling can mean 'signaling or attracting attention by making a whistling sound' because a whistle makes a clear sound to call people.